Book Review: The Blank Wall

“Lucia Holley wrote every night to her husband, who was somewhere in the Pacific. They were very dull letters, as she knew; they gave Commander Holley a picture of a life placid and sunny as a little mountain lake.”

Of course life is anything but pleasant and sunny for Lucia because she’s recently found out that her daughter is seeing Ted Darby, a man who is much older than Bee and who’s been described as a sinister-looking character. Lucia is not about to let Bee get mixed up with the likes of Ted and she forbids Bee to see him. But even before things can get more out of control with the relationship, Ted is found dead.

Lucia believes that her father may have accidentally killed Ted so she hides away the body setting off a chain of events that will have her constantly trying to stay one step ahead. Unsavory characters come looking for her to blackmail her and her family. Lucia rather than explaining to the authorities or her family what’s happened tries to shield her family. It’s interesting to note that the one person Lucia finds herself confiding in to some extent is her maid, Sybil, the one woman who she’s known for so long and yet really knows nothing about.

This wonderful story of suspense hinges on whether Lucia will be able to keep her family safe and out of scandal, on her own of course. What I found interesting was that not only is the murder of Ted a major point but more so how Lucia’s life starts to unravel.

Her children make demands of her, her father, the blackmailers, etc., it’s easy to see how that could drive anyone insane. I think in the end Lucia is not just questioning the motives behind Ted Darby and the other men but more her life and her purpose. A wonderful story.

*If you noticed the image I used, it’s actually from the movie, The Reckless Moment, which was filmed in 1949 based on The Blank Wall.

I loved the suspense of this and Lucia’s resilience; it gave an interesting and contrary look at how women survive at home whilst their husbands served. I loved the characters of Sibyl and her devoted support of Lucia, not out of a sense of servitude but friendship and love.

book collection – It was!
Sandy – That’s exactly what I love. You just see the characters digging themselves deeper and there’s nothing to be done. Hope you’ll give this one a shot.
jenclair – Oh check it out. It’s got this wonderful noirish feel to it too 🙂
Paperback_Reader – Wasn’t Sibyl an interesting character? I loved how there was this deep understanding between them even though they weren’t necessarily friends.
vivienne – Me too! I love the atmosphere and this one has loads. It’s another Persephone for you to put on your list 🙂
christine – That’s actually a poster from a movie made out of the movie. Isn’t it cool? Remember that movie we saw with Tilda Swinton, the Deep End, or something like that? Well, that’s also based on this novel! How cool is that. I think I need to see that movie again.
Isabel – I thought it was pretty! I would like to see the movie to see how much it matches the book.